Friday’s Saratoga Stakes Plays: July 3

A trio of black-type races will highlight the opening-day card at Saratoga Race Course on Friday.

Race 8 – Wild Applause S.

A cast of 11 sophomore fillies will jaunt one mile on the inner turf oval to kick off the stakes action. #6 Smexy (7-2) has flashed good ability in a pair of solid stakes tries since arriving in the United States, and the import seems like a very logical winner of the grassy affair. The Brendan Walsh pupil was a close third in the Penn Oaks, which featured some promising fillies last time and could peak in her third run of the season against this cast. The chestnut daughter of Mehmas will never be far back with Tyler Gaffalione in the silks.

Race 9 – Schuylerville S.

Eight two-year-old fillies, including six coming off of wins, will speed six furlongs on the dirt in the $200,000 heat. #4 Madeleine Swann (8-1) didn’t beat much in her wire-to-wire triumph at Monmouth Park in her unveiling, but I really liked how the filly responded on cue when being asked to quicken in the stretch of that tilt. The $450,000 daughter of Girvin is bred to be better at distances that are much longer than 4 1/2 panels, and the May foal will improve today at a nice price with Javier Castellano in the stirrups. The Delgado trainee has posted two solid half-mile morning drills in advance of this tilt, too.

Race 10 – Saranac S.

Three-year-olds will go 1 1/16 miles on the main turf strip in the final stakes race of the afternoon. #1 Siyouincanada (9-2) lacks the experience of many in the group for Joe Sharp, but if the colt’s debut was any indication, then the gray will be a major player while making his stakes bow. The French-bred sophomore dominated his foes in gate-to-wire fashion on May 25 at Churchill Downs, and he appears to be controlling speed from his rail slot once again, as well. He will need to improve to win this, but I expect the gray to be up to the task with Jose Ortiz signed on for the voyage.